Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron resigns amid fraud indictment in state benefits program
WILDWOOD, N.J. - Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron announced his resignation Thursday, more than a month after being accused of fraud in a state health program.
"It is with deep sadness - yet great hope - for the continued prosperity of Wildwood, that I resign as Mayor of the City of Wildwood, NJ. I have held the honor and pleasure of serving my community as Commissioner for the past 12 years," Byron said in a statement released Thursday morning.
No reason was provided for the mayor's sudden resignation, however, officials did say his duties will be assumed by Deputy Mayor Krista Fitzsimons.
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Last month, a state grand jury indicted Byron, a former mayor and a city commissioner in connection to "allegedly fraudulent participation" in the State Health Benefits Program.
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Officials: Charges reinstated for 3 Wildwood officials accused of fraud in state benefits program
Officials say Wildwood and the State Health Benefits program paid nearly a total of $1 million in premiums and claims for the officials, who were not eligible to participate because they were not full time employees.
The 12-count indictment against Mayor Pete Byron, former Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr. and City Commissioner Steve Mikulski reinstated charges of misconduct, theft by lawful taking, tampering with public records and falsifying or tampering with records.
As a result of the falsified records, Wildwood and the program paid over $608,900 in premiums and claims for Byron from July 2011 through October 2021, officials say.
"It’s certainly not ideal and certainly, you know, not the way you want it to happen," Mayor Krista Fitzsimons stated. She went on to say, "Not the greatest day for the City of Wildwood, however, we’re going to persevere and push through and Wildwood is very resilient."
RELATED: Unsanctioned H2Oi car rally causes deadly crash, property damage, bridge closure in Wildwood
Fitzsimons takes over just ahead of Irish weekend in the Jersey shore community, one of the busiest times for the city. And, a weekend where more cars are expected for an unsanctioned car rally, where last year, two people died.
But, Fitzsimons says everyone is more than prepared this year. "I’m confident that we’re ready and we can certainly handle whatever comes our way. I don’t think anything’s gonna happen, but I will tell you that it was a very, very dark day in Wildwood and I can tell you it was just a really, really sad day."